Table



(Model.)

G. W. BUSS.

Table. No. 240,301. Patented April 19,1881.

FIEV.

N. PETERS. PHETI'D-LTHCGRAPMER4 WASHINGTON, D. C,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE W. BUSS, OIF-NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

TABLE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 240,301, dated April 19, 1881.

Application filed July 6, 1880.

To all whom it may concern iBe it known that I, GEORGE W. BUss, of Newton, county of Middlesex, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Tables, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specitication.

This invention relates to tables, and has for its object the production of a cheap but strong and durable table which may be folded or brought into most compact space when it is not in use or is to be packed for shipping.

In this myinvention the legs are independent each of the other, and are hinged to the under side of the table at equal distances from the corners of the table, so as to support it evenly and present a uniform symmetric appearance. Each leg has the axis of its hinge placed obliquely to the end of the table, so that the legs, When folded, will pass each other, and each leg provided at its upper end with a lip or projection is made to shut into a inortise or recess in the cross-plates, where they are secured each by aseparate leg-holder.

l am aware that it is not new to pivot or hinge the end legs of a table, and together turn them against the under side of the table, and in such case the legs have been made to fall one at the side of the other; but the legs were at different distances from the corners of thetable, which is very objectionable for many reasons.

Figure 1 represents an under-side view of a table containing my improvements, the legs at the left-hand end of the table being folded, and those at the right-hand end being held in upright position to support the table. In the said gure the dotted lines show the position which the righthand legs will assume when folded. The leg-holders are shown in different positions to the better illustrate their purpose; and Fig. 2 is a side elevation of one of my improved tables, all the legs being upright, one part of the table and of one leg being broken out to show the manner of holding the same.

The main part of the table is the top board or bed, a. At each Yend of it, at its lower side, is a cross-plate, b, suitably attached to the board or bed a.. Each cross-plate has two. sockets, c c, and each socket is of proper size (Model.)

to receive within it snugly the upper end of one of the legs d c fg, when the said legs are upright, as in Fig. 2, and at the right of Fig. 1. Each leg at its upper end has an extension or lip, 2, which, besides enlarging'the area ot' the upper end of the leg, so as the better to seat the leg firmly, also serves for the passage over it and co-operation with it of one ot' the leg-holders h, h', h2, or h3 secuied to the crossplates b by suitable screws. Each leg is connected with the top board by a hinge, t', and it will be noticed that each hinge is so secured to the top board, a, as to place the axis or pintle of the hinge obliquely with relation to the ends of the table, so that the legs when folded, as representedin Fig. 1 by thefull and dotted lines, will lap one at the side of the other.

By so hinging each one of the legs separately and causing its upperend to shut, as described, into a inortise or opening, c, in the cross-plates, I am enabled to place each leg at the same distance from its own corner of the top board, thus supporting the table squarely on its legs and retaining the symmetric appearance of tables as commonly made.

The leg-holders Will preferably be made ot' metal, and be provided with a flange, 3, and side lip, 4, curved as shown. When the legs are folded the side lip, 4, will be turned against the end of the leg, as represented by the holder h and leg e, and will retain the leg closely againstthe table. When the leg is to be placed in upright position the holder will be turned into the position designated by the one marked 71.', Fig. 1, uncovering the socket or opening c for the entrance of the top of the leg and lip e thereon. The leg is then turned out or upright, as designated by leg g, Fig. l, and to secure the leg lirmly in place the leg-holder is turned into the position designated by the holder h3, Fig. 1, and as in Fig. 2, the holder `passing over the lip 2, forcing the lip of the leg firmly against the board or bed a. The flange 3 of the holder and the upright part of the lip 4 at right angles to it act against two sides of the leg for some considerable distance below the cross-plate b, thus further bracing and holding the said leg rmly. The rounded lip 4, the leg being folded, serves to lock said leg in a folded position, as shown in Fig. 1 at h and e, as before stated.

' legs, each provided at its upper end with a lip to increase the aren of the top ol' the leg, connbined with n leg-holder to be turned over the said lip to hold the hinged leg in upright position, substantially as described.

3. In combination wit-h a leg provided with 2L lip, the leg-holder pivoted as described, and provided with the downwardly extending flange 3 and outwardly-extending lip 4, to ernbrnoe two sides of and steady the leg, as specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE W. BUSS.

W'itnesses A Jos. P. LIVERMORE, N. E. C. WHITNEY. 

